Arctic Summit Signature Vs Artesian Grand Cayman52

[bash]

Hey folks,

Been lurking for a while, as I've been searching for our first hot tub. After a number of wet tests of many tubs, and researching local dealer reputations, we have it narrowed down to two: The Arctic Summit Signature and the Artesian Grand Cayman 52.

Both are pretty much the same price, and both are coming from great dealers. I'm aware of the foam differences (Arctic's perimeter insulation vs Artesian's full foam), so I don't want this to turn into a foam debate. I'm more curious about the thoughts of the tubs themselves, features, jets, known issues, etc.

The Arctic Summit only comes with 33 jets off the bat (although we're asking for an additional 2 leg jets to be throw in), while the Artesian is at 52, so that's a big difference there. Both are coming with 5" covers, hydraulic cover lifters, GFI, fiberglass/composite exterior and standard delivery/setup.

I know it's odd to have these two as a final two because they really are two very different tubs. Wet testing revealed a much more open concept in the Artesian, while the Arctic was more confined (but also felt more therapeutic, being "locked" into those seats). We were very comfortable in both tubs, it's just that they both offer different types of seating.

Just wondering if anyone has any additional thoughts or considerations about these two particular models. One big issue giving me a headache was the fact that the Artesian is running with a 24 hour circ pump, which apparently changes the water over 100 times per day, whereas the Arctic is running it's pumps at low speed a few times a day to do their filtration and water changing. Just curious as to whether anyone had any thoughts about this, and whether it should be a show-stopper or not.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Bash

[Jacuzzi Jim]

 Both are nice spas from a quality standpoint so your good there.    I don't know tons on the Arctic as no one around here sells them, but have read good things here.

 As far as Artesian goes we use to sell them before we brought on Jacuzzi, the only reason we dropped Artesian was plain and simple, we sold more Jacuzzi's.   The Island series Artesian use to only have a 3 year warranty may be 5 now?  Arctic is probably 5 so from that I like the Arctic.  I do like the 24hr circ better than not having one, in my opinion if you have the ozone installed you get more out of it plus the 24hr filtration.

 If they are charging you for the stainless jets skip it, it looks nice but that's all it does,same with the micro-ban shell  not worth the extra charge unless they are throwing it in.    If I remember right the Artesian has 3 main pumps not sure on the Arctic.

 You cant go wrong with either specially if the dealers are good,sounds like your leaning towards the Artesian?  Sometimes going with your gut is a good way to go and it sounds like you have done your homework.

  

[Spatech_tuo]

Hey folks,

Just wondering if anyone has any additional thoughts or considerations about these two particular models. One big issue giving me a headache was the fact that the Artesian is running with a 24 hour circ pump, which apparently changes the water over 100 times per day, whereas the Arctic is running it's pumps at low speed a few times a day to do their filtration and water changing. Just curious as to whether anyone had any thoughts about this, and whether it should be a show-stopper or not.
 

The circ pump will be quieter, runs ozone 24/7 and is a bit less $ to run while the 2 speed pump used for filtering turns more water so they each have their merits. In the end this shouldn't be a show stopper or decision maker. The only time it really seems to matter is if the spa is going to be in an area where the sound of the filtering is an issue at night (like right outside the bedroom) though usually its not loud enough to matter so base it on the wet test you took and get the spa you TRULY want.

[bash]

Thanks for the replies!

Jacuzzi Jim: No ozone installed on either tub, so I guess that makes the battle between circ pump and non-circ pump that much closer.  Definitely didn't go with the stainless steel in either for the exact reason you mentioned.  The Artesian is the 52 series, so only the two 6hp pumps, so that matches up with Arctic as well (although, I'm unsure as to whether the Artesian has a 48 or 56 frame motor).  Can't say I'm really leaning one way, although I like the greater number of jets in the Artesian and the wife likes the wider array of seating positions in the Arctic!

Spatech: Good advice, thanks!  I've read some people's posts saying they would never consider a spa without a circ pump, so it made me wonder whether it is a must have or not.  It sounds like a good option, but it sounds like it's just two different ways of doing a similar thing.  Thanks for the tip on the noise, though.  It won't be immediately outside any bedrooms, but that's good to know.

[Jacuzzi Jim]

 Artesian uses a 56 frame.   Whats the up charge for the circ pump and ozone?  They willing to throw in you think, may be worth a try for the sale.  

[bash]

Arctic's Ozone system was about $1200....didn't ask about the Artesian, because they JUST barely got into our price range as it is, so I'm not sure we can get much more out of them.

The circ pump is included by default in the Artesian, and Arctic doesn't even have a circ pump option.  It's pretty much what you see is what you get with the filtration.  Even with their Ozone system, I don't believe it adds any kind of circ pump, as I recall someone mentioning it simply integrates into the existing system.

[Vinny]

I own a 2005 Artesian Cayman with 52 jets and it's a nice tub. The electronics are different today than back in 2005. I believe that they use Balboa today.

Don't let the number of jets sway you. I believe both are nice tubs.

[bash]

Thanks Vinny!  I wonder if you could answer a question for me.  I read somewhere that the Artesian has a tendancy to lose heat faster in the winter when the cover is open.  That was just the experience of one individual, so I was just curious as to whether that is something you've witnessed.

Thanks again!  I agree that both would be a good choice.  Either way, can't wait to stop the internal debate and finally just pick one!

[Vanguard]

Don't be swayed by the Microban.  Microban in a hot tub doesn't really do anything.  

Microban is in products to keep bacteria at bay.  This is a great feature in a product that isn't constantly being sanitized.  For instance, a baby's high chair.  You don't have chlorinated water sitting on the high chair all the time.  

A hot tub is constantly sanitized.  You'll always be killing bacteria on the surface of the hot tub - with the exception of the small amount of surface out of the water.  There is no need for Microban.  It really is just a marketing tool.

[Vinny]

Thanks Vinny!  I wonder if you could answer a question for me.  I read somewhere that the Artesian has a tendancy to lose heat faster in the winter when the cover is open.  That was just the experience of one individual, so I was just curious as to whether that is something you've witnessed.

Thanks again!  I agree that both would be a good choice.  Either way, can't wait to stop the internal debate and finally just pick one!

I have to question that as I don't have anything to compare to. My tub can maintain the temp in the wintertime with the cover open but can't heat the tub too well with the cover open. Artesian used to use (may still do) a 4 KW heater with circ pump models and 5.5 (? about the .5) KW heater on the non circ pump models. I believe that's why it doesn't heat too well. I've been in the tub 40 minutes in 20's & 30's and the tub lost 1 degree. The tub will not heat if all 3 therapy pumps are on so I guess if it's really cold out and all 3 pumps are on then it will probably lose temp. I did an experiment a few years back and shut the heater off and in 3 1/2 days it lost about 16 degrees, temps were in the 20's and 30's. Another person who has a Arctic did the same and his tub maintained temp - we both were filtering the tubs - me with the circ pump and him with thescheduled timing.

What are they getting for an Artesian these days anyway?

[Water Boy]

Both are nice spas from a quality standpoint so your good there.    I don't know tons on the Arctic as no one around here sells them, but have read good things here.

 As far as Artesian goes we use to sell them before we brought on Jacuzzi, the only reason we dropped Artesian was plain and simple, we sold more Jacuzzi's.   [glow]The Island series Artesian use to only have a 3 year warranty[/glow] may be 5 now?  Arctic is probably 5 so from that I like the Arctic.  I do like the 24hr circ better than not having one, in my opinion if you have the ozone installed you get more out of it plus the 24hr filtration.

 If they are charging you for the stainless jets skip it, it looks nice but that's all it does,same with the micro-ban shell  not worth the extra charge unless they are throwing it in.    If I remember right the Artesian has 3 main pumps not sure on the Arctic.

 You cant go wrong with either specially if the dealers are good,sounds like your leaning towards the Artesian?  Sometimes going with your gut is a good way to go and it sounds like you have done your homework.

  

According to the Artesian 2008 owners manual, it says it has a three year warranty on the island series. They don’t have a 2009 manual on their website yet, so I don’t know if that changed for 2009 or not. The Arctic comes with a five year warranty.

[Summitman]

Don't be swayed by the Microban.  Microban in a hot tub doesn't really do anything.  

Microban is in products to keep bacteria at bay.  This is a great feature in a product that isn't constantly being sanitized.  For instance, a baby's high chair.  You don't have chlorinated water sitting on the high chair all the time.  

A hot tub is constantly sanitized.  You'll always be killing bacteria on the surface of the hot tub - with the exception of the small amount of surface out of the water.  There is no need for Microban.  It really is just a marketing tool.

I highly doubt that Microban is JUST a marketing tool.  No way do all the manufacturers and dealers go thru the extra expense of having Microban, if its of no importance.

[hottubdan]

I highly doubt that Microban is JUST a marketing tool.  No way do all the manufacturers and dealers go thru the extra expense of having Microban, if its of no importance.

I highly doubt Microban is NOT just a marketing tool.  Why would leading manufacturers such as Hot Spring and Jacuzzi not go thru the extra expense of Microban if it had true value?

[Summitman]

I highly doubt Microban is NOT just a marketing tool.  Why would leading manufacturers such as Hot Spring and Jacuzzi not go thru the extra expense of Microban if it had true value?

I dont know why have so many leading manufacturers chosen for so many years NOT to put a legitimate floor on their spas?  Many are finally starting to do it, but why did it take so long?  Vanguard is assuming that the spa shell is always being sanitized properly, we all know in this business that lots of the time that a spa is in use it isnt being sanitized properly.  Many times there is absolutely NO free chlorine reading at all on the test strip when I test spa water for customers.

[hottubdan]

So, how does microban on shell help with water that is not properly sanitized?

See: ftp://http://www.rhtubs.com/microban.htm

And what does a "floor" have to do with microban?